‘We Are Identifying Tourism As One Of The Major Growth Engines To Generate Employment’

Andhra Pradesh is probably the only state in the country, which has been showing several positive signs towards tourism development. Dr J Geeta Reddy, Andhra Pradesh's Tourism Minister, speaks about the success of the state.

Andhra Pradesh has been creating waves lately with its proactive approach towards tourism. How keen is the government when it comes to overseas promotions?

We have drawn up an ambitious action plan to woo German tourists by promoting 'spiritual tourism', a new concept combining visits to famous temples along with yoga, meditation and Vedanta. The state is being promoted as the new spiritual tourism destination for the Europeans. Keeping in view the interest shown by the Germans about philosophy and cultural aspects of the State, the tourism department has roped in Ramakrishna Mission and some yoga institutions to explain the strength of yoga and meditation. The need for mutual tourism has also been stressed by United Arab Emirates, Iran and Egypt.

What is the kind of budgetary allocation towards tourism in the state?

The government is taking keen interest to develop tourism industry and tourist spots in the State, and has increased the budget from Rs 36 crores last year to Rs 76 crore this year.

Which areas of tourism is the government giving impetus to?

The State government would give impetus to rural tourism in order to achieve all round development of the State. Medical tourism was gaining momentum in the country and the State had already become the medical capital of India. Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) had forecast one million medical tourists to visit the country generating revenue of US$ 5 billion.

Greater emphasis has been given to pilgrim and leisure tourism, adventure and eco-tourism, and even cruise and charter tourism. We have received good response from the private sector for investment in tourism-related activities like beach resorts, water sports, theme parks, amusement parks, trekking, golf, and convention centers.

The Tourism Corporation already has 12 cruisers in Konaseema, and 'Bhavani Islands', and government is thinking to develop tourism spots in Godavari backwaters. The government also decided to establish regional circuits in Medak, Nizamabad and Mahaboobnagar to give thrust to tourism. The state government is focusing on development of rural tourism and the 'Buddhist' tourist spots. For devotees', a guesthouse with 52 rooms was built at 'Bhadrachalam', the temple town, and a ropeway was started at 'Srisailam' to increase number of pilgrims. Recently, we commissioned the twin deck luxury cruiser 'Khir-un-Nissa', in Hussain Sagar lake.

What are your current strategies and future plans?

Current strategies of the state board include positioning tourism as a major growth engine in the state as well as project it as a favoured international and domestic destination. We are identifying tourism as one of the major growth engines to generate employment. We are acknowledging the primacy of the role of private sector with government acting as a facilitator. We are also supporting and encouraging artisans to produce and promote indigenous handicraft from Andhra Pradesh.

Future plans of the state government include inviting private entrepreneurs to buy vacant government lands. Under the private-public partnership mode, government land is leased for a period not exceeding 33 years at five per cent of the market value payable as lease rent and five per cent annual escalation.